Ten Months.

So not fair. Can't figure out how to stop time. Countdown to one year. I am having major difficulties. But I had major difficulties en route to six months, too, and then gave up and started celebrating. So maybe it's that way once you pass One. You realize the first year is over, hold it in your heart, and move into Year Two. I'll let you know.

Flashback Friday

I've been trying to come up with something for this for a few weeks now, inspired by Susie's blog. I have learned a few things already, when digging for photos:

1. My closet is too small to do any good searching for fun photos.
2. I don't have too many photos of just me.
3. My photos, should I one day get a bigger closet, could use some organization.

Ok, onto the first installment of Flashback Friday.


This one was taken aboard the Starship Oceanic, my first cruise, circa 1988 (I think). My family went on this cruise to the Bahamas, snorkeling, and Disney World with the Washburns. Seeing as how Mindy (that's her back there in the orange) is my oldest friend (let me clarify since we're all getting touchy about our ages now - she's the friend I've known the longest), thought I would start here.

Good to know what I couldn't have in this photo: that we'd still be friends almost 20 years later.

(Oh, and I really can't explain the pirate. Sorry.)

Nana came for a visit.

Lucky little Alla had her Nana visit for lunch today. She was here on business and stopped by for lunch with her girls. Alla was giving out kisses and showing her Nana all the skills she's developed since her last visit.

And in case anyone still wasn't sure about those cheeks - yep, they came from Nana. (First thing Ron said when I showed him this picture tonight was, "Man, she does have your mom's cheeks. Those are exactly her cheeks!.")

And Aubrey Is Her Name.

Well you see me, you see Ron holding Alla. But do you see that other person there? That's Aubrey, our amazing, wonderful doula. She was instrumental in bringing Alla into this world, and in my birth experience being so satisfying. She shared the journey with us wholeheartedly.
Today she was back from her travels abroad to visit our little family and it was so good to catch up and show her the wonder that is Alla. She was so amazed at the Little One's personality, batting her eyes, clapping, waving, and oh that hair. We were just glad to have her back again.

I know I haven't shared about Alla's newest obsession. Peas. She cannot get enough. The little girl loves her some peas. She *hearts* peas.

Regis and Kelly Don't Know Sh---.

Regis and Kelly had a Beautiful Baby search. Alla was entered. Alla was not chosen. Honestly. Have you ever seen a more beautiful baby (other than your own, of course)? Regis and Kelly clearly do not have any taste.

This is the photo I entered.
Ah, well. Her mama knows she is the most beautiful baby EVER. And yesterday she started waving to us. It's the most heart-melting hand movement you ever saw. Too bad Regis and Kelly won't get to see it. (If I had a picture of me sticking out my tongue I would post that right here.)

The Rainbow Connection.

Spent the middle of the day at the park with the mommies and babies. We sat around talking about how lucky we are, since Veteran's Park nearly drops off into the blue blue ocean, and it was cool today but perfect clear and sunny. But by afternoon the skies had turned grey and it rained on us a little. When Ron came home from work I noticed an amazing rainbow where you could see both ends. Ron said we need to go look for our pot of gold, but I looked up at him, holding Alla, all of us standing there getting rained on, looking up at that rainbow, and thought we were pretty lucky already.

Photo credit goes to my lovely husband who ran out there in the rain to capture the shot so I wouldn't get mine wet.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here's wishing you all lots of hearts and love and flowers and chocolate and all the other silly fun Valentine's Day treats. From my little valentine to yours.

Cooling off.

Alla missed her Daddy (who was TDY this week). Yesterday he got off the plane and came straight home to his girls. And it was hot so they shed their tops and cooled off. Yes, it was 81 degrees here yesterday. Fine shorts weather! So here are a few shots of my greatest loves from yesterday.

Clapping and signing.

<-------- Another click-able link to Alla's new trick. She can clap. Discovered those hands of hers working together in harmony this morning!

And last night she did her first sign. She signed "nurse." Of course.

Pretty girl curls.

You the average viewer may not notice her hair subtleties, but me, her mama, well, I sure do. Today we had good hair weather. Meaning it was foggy-doggy outside, all day, just kept rolling in, thicker and thicker. So Alla's morning run with Daddy meant that when she came in to kiss mama good morning, she had her pretty girl curls. And then after her later morning run with me, we came in to notice even more pretty girl curls. So here she is, my pretty girl's curls.

Changing Everyday.

<------ Click here to see new VIDEO! Alla is a mover and a shaker. Getting where she wants to go, when she wants to get there.

Then we have her new fun, standing over her toy basket, pulling everything out, searching for that 'perfect' toy.

We don't have it.

She likes to take one arm off, then the other, testing her new baby balance.

Have you ever seen better thighs?